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10 Album Reviews in 10 Days - #3 Neko Case

Intro/Review #1 Arctic Monkeys
Review #2 Destroyer

Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

If Helen of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships, then in a modern day version Neko Case would be the voice that launched a thousand ships. For the non-believers out there, yes it really is that good, to the point where she could likely just make the album without any background music at all. One only need listen to the opening track “Margaret vs Pauline” to be hooked. It will leave you begging for more, unless you’re a complete metal-head.

This album explores the ranges of musical genres from “Margaret vs Pauline” where you’ll think you’re listening to a sexy voice rising up above a smoky lounge, to the sounds of a gospel spiritual in “John Saw that Number”, to the folkish beats of “Star Witness”, to the alt-country/power-popness of “Hold On, Hold On”. Case’s songwriting ability shows up throughout each song. The more gospel type song of “John Saw that Number” does feel a little bit out of place though.

The one flaw of the album is that it starts on such a high with the first three songs, “Margaret vs Pauline”, “Star Witness”, and “Hold On, Hold On”, but fails to hold up throughout the entire album. The remaining songs just can’t match the power and emotion put into the opening trio of the album.

It’s a shame that Case will likely never experience the widespread acclaim she deserves, but this album is definitely worth a listen, especially if you’re into a more folkish vocally driven type of music. I’d currently rank it as one of the best releases of the year, but I don’t feel it’s quite at the level that it would garner that type of recognition in a stronger year. It’s an outstanding solo effort, but, and I may be biased in this, I still feel that her voice and talents are best suited for the type of music and band environment that she has going as part of the New Pornographers.

Rating: 8.1/10

Scale
1 – Please destroy all copies of this album so that I don’t have to ever go through listening to this again
2 – Lacks anything good to say about it, but at least it doesn’t put me in pain to hear it
3 – Shows some bright signs, but overall lacks enough good content
4 – A below average entry, lacks uniqueness and relistenability
5 – Average, entertaining at times, but overall nothing special
6 – Slightly Above Average, entertaining with decent relistenability
7 – Above Average, very entertaining
8 – Great Overall Album
9 – One of the Year’s best, Nearing all time Great Status
10 – An Absolutely Perfect Album in every way

Tomorrow: The Knife - Silent Shout